Thursday, 4 September 2014

Fashion Police Host, Joan Rivers Dies At Age 81

Joan Rivers has died in a New York hospital today, a week
after suffering cardiac arrest during a medical procedure, her daughter said.
"She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. surrounded by family and close
friends," Melissa Rivers said in a written statement.

Rivers, 81, had been on life support at Manhattan's Mount
Sinai hospital, where she was taken after she stopped breathing at the
Yorkville Endoscopy clinic last Thursday.

The legendary comedienne was rushed to Mount Sinai
Hospital a week ago after going into cardiac arrest during an outpatient
procedure on her vocal chords at another clinic, which is now under
investigation.

She has been at the center of American entertainment
since her breakthrough in 1965 when she broke through on the Tonight Show. The
mother of one, daughter Melissa, and doting grandmother to Melissa’s son,
Cooper has most recently hosted Fashion Police on the E! network.

'It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my
mother, Joan Rivers,’ Melissa Rivers said in a statement released to the press
Thursday.

‘She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and
close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff
of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother.

‘Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the
outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the
world. They have been heard and appreciated."

‘My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people
laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would
be that we return to laughing soon.’